Two Healthy Meatball Recipes

Meatballs can be made healthier by switching from traditional ingredients to healthier choices. The definition of healthy may vary based on the type of diet you choose to eat, so one of the recipes below works well for a traditional low-fat, low-calorie diet. The other would be considered healthy on a paleo or low-carb diet.

Low-Fat, Low-Calorie Meatballs

This recipe replaces traditional high-fat pork or ground beef with ground turkey breast, which is lower in fat and calories. Likewise, cheese is replaced with plenty of herbs and spices that make the meatballs flavorful. Baking the meatballs instead of frying them also reduces calorie counts. These meatballs would be great in a meatball sandwich with some red sauce.

Ingredients

Non-stick cooking spray

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, minced

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound lean ground skinless turkey breast

1 cup dried whole wheat breadcrumbs

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup Italian flat leaf parsley, minced

2 tablespoons Italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

Line a cookie sheet with parchment and spray it lightly with cooking spray.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat, heat oil until it is shimmering hot.

Nutrition Information

Paleo/Low-Carb Meatballs

These meatballs are healthy for people on low-carbohydrate and paleo diets. They do not contain breadcrumbs or other grains, and instead contain vegetables and meat. The meatballs would great with spaghetti squash and tomato sauce or a vegetable ragout.